Professor David Craik
Professor

David Craik

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 334 62019

Background

David Craik (AO, FRS, FAA) is in the Centre for Chemistry and Drug Discovery at the Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Australia. He discovered the cyclotide family of circular proteins and has characterized the structures of many animal toxins including conotoxins from cone snail venoms. He heads a research team of 35 researchers whose current work focuses on applications of circular proteins, drugs in plants, toxins and NMR in drug design.

He is author of over 810 scientific papers, including 14 in Nature publications (Nature/Nature Communications/Nature Neuoroscience/Nature Structural Biology/Nature Chemical Biology/Nature Chemistry/Scientific Reports/Nature Protocols, 1 in Science, 12 in PNAS, 9 in JACS, 3 in Chemical Reviews, and 16 in Angewandte Chemie. He has been elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society and a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science, appointed as an Officer (AO) of the Order of Australia and has received numerous awards for his research, including the Ralph F. Hirschmann Award from the American Chemical Society (2011), Ramaciotti Medal for Excellence in Biomedical Research (2014), GlaxoSmithKline Award for Research Excellence (2014), the Vincent du Vigneaud Award from the American Peptide Society (2015),the FAOBMB Award for Research Excellence (2015) and the Cathay Award from the Chinese Peptide Society (2018). He received the Australian Academy of Science David Craig Medal in 2023. He is an Honorary Professor of Jinan University, Guangzhou and has an Honorary Doctorate from Kalmar University in Sweden.

Biography

David Craik obtained his PhD in organic chemistry from La Trobe University in Melbourne, Australia and undertook postdoctoral studies at Florida State and Syracuse Universities before taking up a lectureship at the Victorian College of Pharmacy in 1983. He was appointed Professor of Medicinal Chemistry and Head of School in 1988. He moved to University of Queensland in 1995 to set up a new biomolecular NMR, held an Australian Research Council Laureate Fellow (2015-2020) and is currently a NHMRC Fellow, as well as Director of the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Peptide and Protein Science.

Key Discoveries

David Craik has made discoveries of new classes of proteins, generated new knowledge on their structure and function, and used this information to design and chemically re-engineer new classes of protein-based drug leads and agricultural pest control agents. In particular, his major achievements are:

  • the discovery of cyclotides, the largest known family of circular proteins. As well as a circular backbone, cyclotides contain a knotted arrangement of cross-linking disulfide bonds, making them remarkably stable. His discovery of these proteins was sparked in part from anecdotal reports of medicinal practices in Africa where women make a tea from the plant Oldenlandia affinis by boiling it in water and sipping it during labour to accelerate child birth. He determined the structure of the bioactive component of this medicinal tea and found that it had an unprecedented head-to-tail cyclic peptide backbone combined with a cystine knot.
  • the first structural and functional characterizations of prototypic circular proteins in higher organisms - Professor Craik was one of the first to recognize that other families of ribosomally synthesized cyclic peptides exist. As examples from bacteria and animals emerged, Professor Craik was at the forefront of their structural characterization, reporting the first structures of theta-defensins from animals and the threaded lasso peptide microcin J25 from bacteria, as well as new examples of cyclic peptides from plants.
  • the development of artificially cyclized peptide toxins as drug leads – he developed an orally active peptide that is 100 times more potent than the leading clinically used drug for neuropathic pain.

Research Training

Professor Craik has trained more than 70 PhD students. He was awarded UQ’s Research Supervision Excellence Award in 2007 on the basis of his mentoring and innovations in postgraduate training, including his “writing retreats” to mentor students and postdocs on science writing skills. He received the Institute for Molecular Bioscience Individual Leadership Award in 2019. He was awarded an honorary doctorate from Kalmar University, Sweden for his contributions to international student exchange programs, and is an Honorary Professor of Jinan University, Guangzhou.

Professional Activities

Professor Craik founded and chaired the 1st, 2nd and 3rd International Conferences on Circular Proteins (2009, 2012 and 2015) and was on the Scientific Program Committee for ISMAR 2021. He is on the Boards of six international journals, including Angewandte Chemie, ACS Chemical Biology, Chemical Biology and Drug Design, and ChemBioChem. He was on the Council of the American Peptide Society (2015-2021). He was the director two Brisbane-based biotech companies. He is on the Scientific Advisory Boards of James Cook University’s Centre for Biodiscovery and Molecular Development of Therapeutics (BMDT), the University of Wollongong’s Illawara Health and Medical Research Institute (IHMRI) and Enzytag. He conceived and supports two publicly accessible databases - Cybase on circular proteins (www.cybase.org.au), and conotoxins (www.conoserver.org).

Availability

Professor David Craik is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Fields of research

Clinical sciences Immunology Neurosciences

Qualifications

  • Bachelor (Honours) of Science (Advanced), La Trobe University
  • Doctor of Philosophy, La Trobe University

Research interests

  • Discovery of bioactive peptides and peptide-based drug design

    The Craik group focuses on the discovery and applications of small disulfide-rich proteins as leads in drug design. Such proteins often have potent biological activities and, because of their cross-linking disulfide bonds, usually have well defined three-dimensional structures that can be determined using NMR spectroscopy. NMR is one of the main techniques we use in the laboratory. The proteins we study come from animal and plant sources, as well as "designer" proteins we produce in the lab. In particular we have been exploring the bioengineering of circular proteins, based on our discovery of a naturally occurring family of cyclic proteins called cyclotides. By cyclising proteins and creating embedded knots within the structures using disulfide bonds we are able to significantly enhance the stability of proteins. We are applying our technology to the design of drugs for pain, cancer (prostate cancer, chronic myeloid leukeamia and melanoma), cardiovascular disease, multiple sclerosis, and metabolic diseases (obesity and diabetes). Our goal is to overcome current limitations on the use of conventional proteins as drugs, i.e. their poor bioavailability and susceptibility to degradation in vivo. We are currently determining relationships between structure and activity in a wide range of cystine knot proteins, including those from plants, cone-snail venoms, snakes, spiders and frogs. Cystine knot proteins have applications in agriculture as well as in the development of pharmaceuticals, and in collaboration with Dr Marilyn Anderson at La Trobe University we have been examining the insecticidal properties of a range of disulfide rich proteins. The cyclotide proteins discovered in our laboratory show particular promise as "natural" insecticides against pests in a range of crop plants.

  • Production of-based pharmaceuticals in plants

    Our group is interested in using plants as ‘biofactories’ for producing high value peptide-based pharmaceuticals. The peptides are either expressed in the leaves of plants, which are harvested to allow extraction of the pharmaceutical product for conventional formulation or tableting. Alternatively, we can express the therapeutic peptides specifically in the seeds of plants so that the seed becomes the bio pill. This technology has the potential to make high-tech ‘designer’ medicines available to patients in developing countries as well as the potential to lower the costs of production of refined pharmaceuticals. This work is supported by a grant from the Australian Research Council and the Clive and Vera Ramaciotti Foundation.

  • Structural biology of peptides and proteins

    We use NMR spectroscopy to determine the structures of a wide range of peptides and proteins so that we can understand fundamental biological processes and use structural information for the development of pharmaceuticals or next generation agrichemicals. NMR allows structures to be determined in solution under physiologically relevant conditions.

Research impacts

Professor Craik is known internationally for his pioneering work on the discovery and study of naturally occurring circular proteins. Gene-encoded circular proteins were unknown when he started working on them in the 1990s, but it is now clear that their unique topology makes them remarkably stable compared to conventional proteins. Circular proteins are exciting leads for drug design and protein engineering applications, where resistance to breakdown by enzymes is critically important. In one example, Professor Craik's lab has been working on using a peptide from cone snail venom as a pain relief drug 100 times more potent than morphine. Circular proteins also have considerable potential as natural insecticides, diagnostic probes, and as tools in neuroscience. He has developed methods for using plants as ‘biofactories’ to make these peptides.

Specific Measures of Impact

  • Author of more than 810 papers; h-index 104 (WOS), 120 (GS); Citations 41,824 (WOS), 53,342 (GS) and has four Highly Cited papers, with two cited more than 1300 times
  • Editor of two books; NMR in Drug Design (CRC Press) and Plant Cyclotides (Academic Press)
  • Professor Craik has given more than 600 presentations over his career, including 112 Plenary/invited lectures at national and international conferences and university colloquia or industry forums in 23 countries over the past 5 years.
  • Numerous international and national awards including the Adrien Albert Award (RACI, 1993); ANZMAG Medal (2004); RACI H G Smith Medal (2006); ACS Ralph F. Hirschmann Award in Peptide Chemistry (2011); Josef Rudinger Memorial Lecture Award, European Peptide Society (2012); La Trobe University Distinguished Alumnus Award (2013); GlaxoSmithKline Award for Research Excellence (2014); Ramaciotti Medal for Excellence in Biomedical Research (2014); Vincent du Vigneaud Award (American Peptide Society, 2015); Australian Research Council Australian Laureate Fellowship (2015); FAOBMB Award for Research Excellence (Federation of Asian and Oceanian Biochemists and Molecular Biologists, 2015); $1million Ramaciotti Biomedical Research Award (2015); Institute for Molecular Bioscience Impact Award for Innovation (2017); Cathay Award, Chinese Peptide Society (2018); Institute for Molecular Bioscience Individual Leadership Award (2019), Australian Academy of Science David Craig Medal (2023)
  • Appointment as an Officer (AO) of the Order of Australia
  • Fellow of the Royal Society
  • Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science
  • Fellow of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute, the Royal Society of Chemistry and a member of six other learned societies.

Community Engagement

  • Feature article on Channel 10’s “The Project” (30/10/2018)
  • Article in The Sunday Age and Sydney Morning Herald (Liam Mannix) 18th March 2018 “The botanist, the chemist and the painkilling lettuce” with longtime collaborator Professor Marilyn Anderson from La Trobe University.
  • ABC Radio interview with David Curnow on “Medicines in Plants” 14th March 2016
  • Named one of the Best & Brightest in Queensland for 2015, Courier Mail, Q Weekend, Dec 5-6, 2015
  • Radio interview on conesnail envenomation, June 10th 2015 ABC News
  • Catalyst documentary on “Plant Based Medicines”, aired 3rd Feb 2015, ABC2
  • Radio National interview November following GSK Award 2014 with Fran Kelly, 27th November 2014
  • Author of Wikipedia entry on cyclotides
  • Press coverage (Courier Mail, UQ News) on development of lead compound for the treatment of pain 2010-2011
  • European documentary on cone snail research televised in Europe in December 2013

Search Professor David Craik’s works on UQ eSpace

1026 works between 1976 and 2024
All (1026) Journal Article (835) Book Chapter (40) Conference Publication (148) Other Outputs (1) Edited Outputs (2)

1 - 20 of 1026 works

Featured

2023

Journal Article

The circular bacteriocin enterocin NKR-5-3B has an improved stability profile over nisin

Wang, Conan K., Huang, Yen-Hua, Shabbir, Fatima, Pham, Huong T., Lawrence, Nicole, Benfield, Aurélie H., van der Donk, Wilfred, Henriques, Sónia T., Turner, Mark S. and Craik, David J. (2023). The circular bacteriocin enterocin NKR-5-3B has an improved stability profile over nisin. Peptides, 167 171049, 171049. doi: 10.1016/j.peptides.2023.171049

The circular bacteriocin enterocin NKR-5-3B has an improved stability profile over nisin

Featured

2023

Journal Article

A chemoenzymatic approach to produce a cyclic analogue of the analgesic drug MVIIA (Ziconotide)

Zhou, Yan, Harvey, Peta J., Koehbach, Johannes, Chan, Lai Yue, Jones, Alun, Andersson, Åsa, Vetter, Irina, Durek, Thomas and Craik, David J. (2023). A chemoenzymatic approach to produce a cyclic analogue of the analgesic drug MVIIA (Ziconotide). Angewandte Chemie, 135 (29) e202302812, 1-5. doi: 10.1002/ange.202302812

A chemoenzymatic approach to produce a cyclic analogue of the analgesic drug MVIIA (Ziconotide)

Featured

2023

Journal Article

Captivity induces a sweeping and sustained genomic response in a starfish

Morin, Marie, Jönsson, Mathias, Wang, Conan K., Craik, David J., Degnan, Sandie M. and Degnan, Bernard M. (2023). Captivity induces a sweeping and sustained genomic response in a starfish. Molecular Ecology, 32 (13), 3541-3556. doi: 10.1111/mec.16947

Captivity induces a sweeping and sustained genomic response in a starfish

Featured

2023

Journal Article

Development of antiplasmodial peptide–drug conjugates using a human protein-derived cell-penetrating peptide with selectivity for infected cells

Palombi, Isabella R., Lawrence, Nicole, White, Andrew M., Gare, Caitlin L., Craik, David J., McMorran, Brendan J. and Malins, Lara R. (2023). Development of antiplasmodial peptide–drug conjugates using a human protein-derived cell-penetrating peptide with selectivity for infected cells. Bioconjugate Chemistry, 34 (6), 1105-1113. doi: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.3c00147

Development of antiplasmodial peptide–drug conjugates using a human protein-derived cell-penetrating peptide with selectivity for infected cells

2023

Journal Article

A chemo-enzymatic approach to produce a cyclic analogue of the analgesic drug MVIIA (Ziconotide)

Zhou, Yan, Harvey, Peta J., Koehbach, Johannes, Chan, Lai Yue, Jones, Alun, Andersson, Åsa, Vetter, Irina, Durek, Thomas and Craik, David J. (2023). A chemo-enzymatic approach to produce a cyclic analogue of the analgesic drug MVIIA (Ziconotide). Angewandte Chemie, 62 (29) e202302812, e202302812. doi: 10.1002/anie.202302812

A chemo-enzymatic approach to produce a cyclic analogue of the analgesic drug MVIIA (Ziconotide)

Featured

2023

Journal Article

Nematicidal activity of cyclotides: toxicity against​​​​​​​ Caenorhabditis elegans

Bajpai, Abhishek, Jackson, Mark A., Huang, Yen-Hua, Yap, Kuok, Du, Qingdan, Chau, Tevin Chui-Ying, Craik, David J. and Gilding, Edward K. (2023). Nematicidal activity of cyclotides: toxicity against​​​​​​​ Caenorhabditis elegans. Journal of Natural Products, 86 (5), 1222-1229. doi: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.2c01124

Nematicidal activity of cyclotides: toxicity against​​​​​​​ Caenorhabditis elegans

Featured

2023

Journal Article

Plant-based production of an orally active cyclotide for the treatment of multiple sclerosis

Jackson, Mark A., Xie, Jing, Nguyen, Linh T. T., Wang, Xiaohan, Yap, Kuok, Harvey, Peta J., Gilding, Edward K. and Craik, David J. (2023). Plant-based production of an orally active cyclotide for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. Transgenic Research, 32 (1-2), 121-133. doi: 10.1007/s11248-023-00341-1

Plant-based production of an orally active cyclotide for the treatment of multiple sclerosis

Featured

2022

Journal Article

Peptide-based LDH5 inhibitors enter cancer cells and impair proliferation

Nadal-Bufí, Ferran, Chan, Lai Y., Mohammad, Hadi H., Mason, Jody M., Salomon, Carlos, Lai, Andrew, Thompson, Erik W., Craik, David J., Kaas, Quentin and Henriques, Sónia T. (2022). Peptide-based LDH5 inhibitors enter cancer cells and impair proliferation. Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences, 79 (12) 606, 606. doi: 10.1007/s00018-022-04633-3

Peptide-based LDH5 inhibitors enter cancer cells and impair proliferation

Featured

2022

Journal Article

Engineering the cyclization loop of MCoTI-II generates targeted cyclotides that potently inhibit factor XIIa

Tian, Sixin, Durek, Thomas, Wang, Conan K., Zdenek, Christina N., Fry, Bryan G., Craik, David J. and de Veer, Simon J. (2022). Engineering the cyclization loop of MCoTI-II generates targeted cyclotides that potently inhibit factor XIIa. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 65 (23), 15698-15709. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01080

Engineering the cyclization loop of MCoTI-II generates targeted cyclotides that potently inhibit factor XIIa

Featured

2022

Journal Article

Rational domestication of a plant-based recombinant expression system expands its biosynthetic range

Jackson, Mark A., Chan, Lai Yue , Harding, Maxim D., Craik, David J. and Gilding, Edward K. (2022). Rational domestication of a plant-based recombinant expression system expands its biosynthetic range. Journal of Experimental Botany, 73 (18), 6103-6114. doi: 10.1093/jxb/erac273

Rational domestication of a plant-based recombinant expression system expands its biosynthetic range

Featured

2022

Journal Article

Improving stability enhances in vivo efficacy of a PCSK9 inhibitory peptide

Zhang, Yuhui, Wang, Li, Tombling, Benjamin J., Lammi, Carmen, Huang, Yen-Hua, Li, Yue, Bartolomei, Martina, Hong, Bin, Craik, David J. and Wang, Conan K. (2022). Improving stability enhances in vivo efficacy of a PCSK9 inhibitory peptide. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 144 (42), 19485-19498. doi: 10.1021/jacs.2c08029

Improving stability enhances in vivo efficacy of a PCSK9 inhibitory peptide

Featured

2022

Journal Article

The acyclotide ribe 31 from Rinorea bengalensis has selective cytotoxicity and potent insecticidal properties in Drosophila

Dang, Tien T., Huang, Yen-Hua, Ott, Stanislav, Harvey, Peta J., Gilding, Edward K., Tombling, Benjamin J., Chan, Lai Y., Kaas, Quentin, Claridge-Chang, Adam and Craik, David J. (2022). The acyclotide ribe 31 from Rinorea bengalensis has selective cytotoxicity and potent insecticidal properties in Drosophila. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 298 (10) 102413, 1-11. doi: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102413

The acyclotide ribe 31 from Rinorea bengalensis has selective cytotoxicity and potent insecticidal properties in Drosophila

Featured

2022

Journal Article

Late-stage functionalization with cysteine staples generates potent and selective melanocortin receptor-1 agonists

White, Andrew M., Dellsén, Anita, Larsson, Niklas, Kaas, Quentin, Jansen, Frank, Plowright, Alleyn T., Knerr, Laurent, Durek, Thomas and Craik, David J. (2022). Late-stage functionalization with cysteine staples generates potent and selective melanocortin receptor-1 agonists. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 65 (19), 12956-12969. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00793

Late-stage functionalization with cysteine staples generates potent and selective melanocortin receptor-1 agonists

Featured

2022

Journal Article

Accurate de novo design of membrane-traversing macrocycles

Bhardwaj, Gaurav, O’Connor, Jacob, Rettie, Stephen, Huang, Yen-Hua, Ramelot, Theresa A., Mulligan, Vikram Khipple, Alpkilic, Gizem Gokce, Palmer, Jonathan, Bera, Asim K., Bick, Matthew J., Di Piazza, Maddalena, Li, Xinting, Hosseinzadeh, Parisa, Craven, Timothy W., Tejero, Roberto, Lauko, Anna, Choi, Ryan, Glynn, Calina, Dong, Linlin, Griffin, Robert, van Voorhis, Wesley C., Rodriguez, Jose, Stewart, Lance, Montelione, Gaetano T., Craik, David and Baker, David (2022). Accurate de novo design of membrane-traversing macrocycles. Cell, 185 (19), 3520-3532.e26. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2022.07.019

Accurate de novo design of membrane-traversing macrocycles

Featured

2022

Journal Article

CIPPS, an Australian Centre for Peptide and Protein Research, goes live!

Wang, Conan K. and Craik, David J. (2022). CIPPS, an Australian Centre for Peptide and Protein Research, goes live!. Peptides, 155 170835, 1-2. doi: 10.1016/j.peptides.2022.170835

CIPPS, an Australian Centre for Peptide and Protein Research, goes live!

Featured

2022

Journal Article

Mutagenesis of bracelet cyclotide hyen D reveals functionally and structurally critical residues for membrane binding and cytotoxicity

Du, Qingdan, Huang, Yen-Hua, Wang, Conan K., Kaas, Quentin and Craik, David J. (2022). Mutagenesis of bracelet cyclotide hyen D reveals functionally and structurally critical residues for membrane binding and cytotoxicity. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 298 (4) 101822, 101822. doi: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.101822

Mutagenesis of bracelet cyclotide hyen D reveals functionally and structurally critical residues for membrane binding and cytotoxicity

Featured

2022

Journal Article

Comparative analysis of cyclotide-producing plant cell suspensions presents opportunities for cyclotide plant molecular farming

Doffek, Benjamin, Huang, Yvonne, Huang, Yen-Hua, Chan, Lai Yue, Gilding, Edward K., Jackson, Mark A. and Craik, David J. (2022). Comparative analysis of cyclotide-producing plant cell suspensions presents opportunities for cyclotide plant molecular farming. Phytochemistry, 195 113053, 1-10. doi: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2021.113053

Comparative analysis of cyclotide-producing plant cell suspensions presents opportunities for cyclotide plant molecular farming

Featured

2022

Journal Article

Enzymatic C‐to‐C Protein Ligation

Rehm, Fabian B. H., Tyler, Tristan J., Veer, Simon J., Craik, David J. and Durek, Thomas (2022). Enzymatic C‐to‐C Protein Ligation. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 134 (11) e202116672, e202116672. doi: 10.1002/anie.202116672

Enzymatic C‐to‐C Protein Ligation

Featured

2022

Journal Article

Towards a generic prototyping approach for therapeutically-relevant peptides and proteins in a cell-free translation system

Wu, Yue, Cui, Zhenling, Huang, Yen-Hua, de Veer, Simon J., Aralov, Andrey V., Guo, Zhong, Moradi, Shayli V., Hinton, Alexandra O., Deuis, Jennifer R., Guo, Shaodong, Chen, Kai-En, Collins, Brett M., Vetter, Irina, Herzig, Volker, Jones, Alun, Cooper, Matthew A., King, Glenn F., Craik, David J., Alexandrov, Kirill and Mureev, Sergey (2022). Towards a generic prototyping approach for therapeutically-relevant peptides and proteins in a cell-free translation system. Nature Communications, 13 (1) 260, 260. doi: 10.1038/s41467-021-27854-9

Towards a generic prototyping approach for therapeutically-relevant peptides and proteins in a cell-free translation system

Featured

2021

Journal Article

Modified horseshoe crab peptides target and kill bacteria inside host cells

Amiss, Anna S., von Pein, Jessica B., Webb, Jessica R., Condon, Nicholas D., Harvey, Peta J., Phan, Minh-Duy, Schembri, Mark A., Currie, Bart J., Sweet, Matthew J., Craik, David J., Kapetanovic, Ronan, Henriques, Sónia Troeira and Lawrence, Nicole (2021). Modified horseshoe crab peptides target and kill bacteria inside host cells. Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences, 79 (1) 38, 38. doi: 10.1007/s00018-021-04041-z

Modified horseshoe crab peptides target and kill bacteria inside host cells

Current funding

  • 2025 - 2028
    A molecular platform for design and production of next-generation peptides
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2026
    Developing novel peptide tracers for improving immunotherapy outcomes
    NHMRC Development Grant
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2026
    A peptide platform to fight pests threatening global food security
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2026
    Next-generation peptide-based medicines for malaria
    United States Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs - Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2025
    Engineered cell penetrating antifungal peptides
    UniQuest Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2026
    Advancing peptide-based drug design
    NHMRC Investigator Grants
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2025
    New approaches to cancer treatment through mRNA display (NHMRC Ideas Grant led by University of Sydney).
    NHMRC IDEAS Grants
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2028
    ARC Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science
    ARC Centres of Excellence
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2025
    Crown-of-Thorns Starfish Control Innovation Program
    Great Barrier Reef Foundation
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2022 - 2023
    An integrated analytical network for protein characterisation
    ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2024
    Developing FXIIa inhibitors as next-generation anticoagulants
    NHMRC Development Grant
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2024
    Plant cyclotides as novel sustainable tools for crop protection
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2023
    Advanced Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Technologies for Southeast Queensland
    ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2024
    Eco-friendly pesticides for crop protection
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2023
    Modulating actin dynamics in ALS/MND as a novel therapeutic approach (FightMND Drug Development grant administered by Macquarie University)
    Macquarie University
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2022
    Peptide ligands as tools to decipher receptor biology
    NHMRC IDEAS Grants
    Open grant
  • 2019
    Chemical Purification Network
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2021
    Developing Factor XIIa inhibitors as new leads for preventing thrombosis
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2019
    Imaging Mass Spectrometry at Higher Mass Resolution
    UQ Research Facilities Infrastructure Grants
    Open grant
  • 2019
    In vivo imaging system for tracking inflammation, infection, cancer, pain and bioactive molecules
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2022
    Biocontrol of crown-of-thorns starfish using genomics and proteomics
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2018
    Multichannel peptide synthesiser to accelerate UQ's biodiscovery pipeline and peptide drug development programs
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2020
    Therapeutics based on the protective activity of protein disulphide in MND (MND Foundation Research Grant led by Macquarie University)
    Macquarie University
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2020
    Synthesis of cyclotide frameworks for evaluation of their gastrointestinal stability
    UniQuest Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2017
    Deep Protein Sequencing, Structure and Quantification Facility
    ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2024
    ACRF Cancer Ultrastructure and Function Facility
    Australian Cancer Research Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2017
    A nuclear magnetic resonance facility for modern molecular analysis
    ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities
    Open grant
  • 2016
    4D Mass Spectrometer
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2021
    Engineered cyclotides against plant biotic stress
    UniQuest Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2016
    Integrative blood coagulation research core facility
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2018
    New drug leads for cholesterol
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2016
    Patch-clamp electrophysiology platform for drug and insecticide discovery
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2020
    Taking Australia from the farm to the pharm
    ARC Australian Laureate Fellowships
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2021
    The Clive and Vera Ramaciotti Facility for Producing Pharmaceuticals in Plants
    Ramaciotti Biomedical Research Award
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2020
    Development of peptide-based scaffolds for intracellular cancer targets
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2017
    Development of selective melanocortin receptor agonists and antagonists
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2015
    Murine behavioural phenotyping facility
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2015
    Protein Analysis Facility
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2019
    The chemistry and biology of circular proteins
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2021
    GlaxoSmithKline Award for Research Excellence
    GlaxoSmithKline Australia Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2021
    2014 Ramaciotti Medal for Excellence in Biomedical Research
    Ramaciotti Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2017
    IMB/Pfizer Collaborative Project on Peptide Therapeutics
    UniQuest Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2017
    Development of eco-friendly alternatives for crop pest management
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2016
    Better treatments for chronic pain
    NHMRC Development Grant
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2016
    Development of next generation drugs for chronic myeloid leukaemia
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2014
    Design and Synthesis of cyclotide (CCK) scaffolds
    UniQuest Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2015
    Development of new anticancer drugs using sortase-mediated ligation
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2016
    GABA(B) Receptor Modulation of Gastrointestinal Function in Health and Disease by Alpha-Conotoxins (NHMRC Project Grant Administered by The University of Wollongong)
    Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology University
    Open grant
  • 2013
    UQ Travel Awards Category 1 - Professor Octavio Franco
    UQ Travel Grants Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2013
    High-resolution and high-throughput Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Facility (ARC LIEF Grant administered by JCU)
    ARC LIEF Collaborating/Partner Organisation Contributions
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2015
    NHMRC Research Fellowship (SPRF)
    NHMRC Research Fellowship
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2014
    The Queensland-Pfizer Program for Diabetes and Cardiovascular Drug Discovery
    Queensland Government Smart Futures Co-Investment Fund
    Open grant
  • 2012
    Analytical flow cytometer for cell and developmental biology and drug discovery applications
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2014
    Cyclic peptide based angiogenic inhibitors.
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2012
    High- throughput Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrometer.
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2014
    Innovations in peptide-based drug design
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2012
    High-throughput, high resolution protein-peptide sequencing and quantification facility
    ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities
    Open grant
  • 2011
    Auto-iTC200 microcalorimeter for high-throughput molecular interaction analyses
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2013
    Development of a scorpion toxin for tumour imaging
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2011
    Freedom Evo 150 robotic worktable: Automated high throughput and long-time course spectrophotometric multiwell plate assay system
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2013
    Harnessing plants to produce peptide drugs
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2011
    Peptide Drug Synthesis and Purification Unit
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2014
    Understanding the structure/function relationships of the iron regulatory peptide hepcidin
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2011
    Advanced molecular discovery and characterisation facility
    ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities
    Open grant
  • 2010
    A new portable molecular imaging modality - dynamic nuclear polarization
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2014
    Defining mechanisms of action of novel alpha-conotoxins at nicotinic receptor-channels (ARC Discovery Project administered by RMIT University)
    Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology University
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2012
    New peptide-based drugs for the treatment of neuropathic pain
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2010
    Resonant waveguide label-free plate sensor
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2010
    The development of peptides (mini-proteins) as drugs: improved purification capability
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2009
    Alpha-Conotoxins: Selective Probes For Nicotinic Receptor Subtype Structure And Function (ARC Discovery Project administered by RMIT University)
    Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology University
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2012
    NHMRC Research Fellowship (Principal Research Fellow): Peptide-Based Drug Development
    NHMRC Research Fellowship
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2021
    Cone Shell snail venom research
    The Simon Axelsen Memorial Fund
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2013
    Discovery and applications of circular proteins
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2012
    Molecular mechanisms that help organise effective synaptic transmission.
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2009
    ACCESS TO MAJOR RESEARCH FACILITIES PROGRAMME: Interaction of cyclic peptides with liquid membranes (ISIS, UK, 5-9 May 2008)
    Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2010
    Development of a novel orally active peptide for the treatment of pain
    NHMRC Development Grant
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2011
    Development of novel antibacterial compounds from subtilosin A
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2010
    Discovery of novel cyclotides.
    Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research
    Open grant
  • 2008
    Expression of cyclotides in plant cell culture
    UQ Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Strategic Initiatives
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2009
    Alpha-Conotoxins: Selective Probes For Nicotinic Receptor Subtype Structure And Function
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2010
    Development of a generic strategy for the stabilisation of peptide-based therapeutics
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2006 - 2008
    Bioengineering of cyclotides with angiogenic properties
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2006 - 2008
    Deciphering the molecular basis of SM regulation of exocytosis
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2005 - 2008
    Enhancement of plant proteinase inhibitors for the protection of crop plants against insect attack
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2005 - 2007
    New leads for Anti-Cancer Drug Development
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2004 - 2006
    Design and synthesis of peptide based drugs for multiple sclerosis
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2004 - 2009
    Discovery of novel circular proteins in bacteria plants and animals: applications in drug design and crop protection
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2004
    The Australian Protease Network
    ARC Seed Funding for Research Networks
    Open grant
  • 2003 - 2006
    Development of novel pesticidal agents
    ARC - CSIRO Linkage
    Open grant
  • 2003 - 2006
    Applying the CCK framework to angiogenic-based therapeutics
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2002 - 2004
    Biocore 3000 for discovery and characterisation of novel pharmaceuticals
    Systemic Infrastucture Iniative
    Open grant
  • 2002 - 2006
    Conotoxins: Novel probes for ion channel structure and function
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2001
    Strategies for the stabilisation of peptide therapeutics
    UQ FirstLink Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2001
    Biosynthesis of novel circular proteins by plants
    La Trobe University
    Open grant
  • 2000 - 2005
    NMR in Drug Design: cyclisation and cyclic permutation as tools in the development of novel molecular templates
    ARC Australian Senior Research Fellowships
    Open grant
  • 2000 - 2001
    Structural studies on novel cyclic a-conotoxins
    ARC Australian Research Council (Large grants)
    Open grant
  • 2000 - 2002
    Structural studies on SNARE proteins involved in insulin action
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 1999 - 2001
    Development of novel biodegradable insecticides based on plant protease inhibitors
    ARC Collaborative Grant (SPIRT)
    Open grant
  • 1999 - 2001
    Development of novel biodegradable inseticides based on plant protease inhibitors
    Hexima Limited
    Open grant
  • 1999 - 2001
    New Molecular Probes for the Complement System. Development of Potent Agonists and Antagonists of C5a
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 1999 - 2001
    NMR Structural Studies of a Novel Protein Framework - the Cyclic Cystine Knot: Applications to Drug Design
    ARC Australian Research Council (Large grants)
    Open grant
  • 1999
    Structural basis for selective recognition of potassium channels by a novel peptide toxin, K-Conotoxin PVIIA
    UQ External Support Enabling Grant
    Open grant
  • 1999
    Structural studies on BSTI, a novel protease inhibitor from Bombina bombina
    ARC Australian Research Council (Small grants)
    Open grant
  • 1998 - 2000
    Interactions between a series of novel plant proteinase inhibitors and animal and insect digestive proteinases
    La Trobe University
    Open grant
  • 1997 - 2000
    Development of neuronal sodium channel antagonist for the treatment of neuropathic and chronic pain
    Department Industry Science & Tourism R&D "Start"
    Open grant
  • 1997 - 1999
    Approaches to the development of drugs for Alzheimer's disease
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 1996
    Approaches to the development of drugs for Alzheimer's disease
    NHMRC Project - Special Initiative Grant
    Open grant
  • 1996
    Approaches to the development of drugs for Alzheimer's disease
    UQ External Support Enabling Grant
    Open grant
  • 1996
    NMR studies of protein structure and folding.
    DIST Bilateral Science & Technology Collab.Program
    Open grant
  • 1996
    Structure determination by NMR of the disulfide-dithiol exchange protein TcpG
    ARC Australian Research Council (Small grants)
    Open grant
  • 1996 - 1998
    Studies of thyroid hormone binding to istopically labelled transthyretin by NMR
    ARC Australian Research Council (Large grants)
    Open grant
  • 1995 - 2000
    Conformational studies by NMR of a uterotonic peptide
    ARC Australian Senior Research Fellowships
    Open grant
  • 1995 - 1997
    Conformational studies by NMR of a uterotonic peptide
    ARC Australian Research Council (Large grants)
    Open grant
  • 1995 - 1996
    Conformational studies by NMR on enterotoxin and some of its derivatives
    ARC Australian Research Council (Small grants)
    Open grant
  • 1995 - 1997
    Structural studies of a novel multidomain precursor protein that is cleaved into five proteinase inhibitors.
    La Trobe University
    Open grant
  • 1995 - 1997
    Synthesis structure and inhibition of an essential HIV regulatory protein REV
    Department Health & Family Services - CARG
    Open grant
  • 1995 - 1997
    Synthesis, structure and inhibition of an essential HIV regulatory protein REV
    NHMRC Project Grant - HIV/AIDS (CARG)
    Open grant

Availability

Professor David Craik is:
Available for supervision

Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.

Available projects

  • Applications of cyclic peptides in drug development

  • Structure activity relationships of conotoxins and application in the development of drugs for pain

  • Using plants as factories for producing next generation peptide-based pharmaceuticals

Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Applications of cyclic peptides in drug design

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Yen-Hua Crystal Huang

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Application of transpeptidases for peptide and protein engineering

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Thomas Durek

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Ultra-stable Miniproteins for Treating Gastrointestinal Disorders

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Thomas Durek

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Development of peptide-based inhibitors for crop protection

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Conan Wang, Professor Brett Collins

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Development of novel peptide based drug leads for chronic myeloid leukaemia

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Simon de Veer, Dr Thomas Durek

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Novel peptide-based drug leads for targeting leukaemia.

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Yen-Hua Crystal Huang

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Development of novel cell penetrating peptides as cancer therapies.

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Angeline Chan

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Investigating the antifungal activity of cyclotides from butterfly pea

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Angeline Chan

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Plant-based production of antimicrobial peptides

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Nicole Lawrence, Dr Mark Jackson

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Using plants as factories for producing next generation peptide-based pharmaceuticals

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Paul Visendi Muhindira, Dr Thomas Durek

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Development of commercially viable cyclic peptide production for the protection of the Great Barrier Reef

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Conan Wang, Dr Thomas Durek, Professor Linda Lua

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Discovery and Development of Substrate-Based Peptide Kinase Inhibitors

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Yen-Hua Crystal Huang, Dr Conan Wang

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Development of a new class of ligase enzymes for protein engineering and drug development

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Conan Wang, Dr Thomas Durek

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Next-generation IL-2 mimics for immunotherapy

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Di Yu, Dr Conan Wang

  • Doctor Philosophy

    A new molecular technology platform for design and production of ultra-stable peptides

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Conan Wang

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Professor David Craik directly for media enquiries about:

  • agricultural pests
  • Biology - structural
  • biopills
  • cancer
  • chronic pain
  • cone snails
  • cyclotides
  • Drug design (with nuclear magnetic resonance)
  • drug development
  • drug discovery
  • drugs in plants
  • insecticide
  • multiple sclerosis
  • NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance)
  • Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR)
  • pain
  • peptides
  • Protein research
  • Protein stabilisation
  • Protein structure determination
  • Structural biology
  • venom

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